Alabama

Alabama farmers donated more than $80K to wildfire relief

Alabama farmers have raised more than $80,000 to benefit western ranchers affected by wildfires.

The Alabama Farmers Agriculture Foundation, along with the Alabama Farmers Federation and Alfa Foundation, matched $25,000 pledged from county farmers federations for the project, which ended March 31.

In all, 53 of Alabama's 67 county farmers federations donated to the fund. The money will benefit ranchers in Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Colorado.

A series of wildfires in early March destroyed more than a million acres of grazing land and killed thousands of cattle and swine in the region.

Alabama Farmers Federation President Jimmy Parnell said conversations with the affected areas determined that cash donations were most needed.

"By working with trustworthy, grassroots organizations, we provided direct assistance to those in need without creating additional transportation and logistics issues related to delivering feed and fencing materials," Parnell said.

Federation Beef Division Director Nate Jaeger said it has been "encouraging to see" the gifts given.

"I echo the sentiments of many that we only wish we could do more," he said.